LWV-Wilmette Eyewitness/Observer Corps

First Person Reports on Meeting of Wilmette Area Governments​

Monitoring local government meeting is a long-established practice of the League of Women Voters. It is one approach to help inform citizens about current issues and their governments.
​
Members volunteer to attend or watch a meeting and share what they observed in a written report

​Recent Updates

​As of August 7, 2019
 
With a lighter summer meeting schedule, LWVW observers have only covered one local government board meeting since our last update in mid-July: the July 23 Village Board meeting.  But it was an important one--and more important meetings are set for August.
 
Highlights from July 23 Village Board meeting:

• The VB  kicked off its FY2020 budget and tax levy processes, with a FY2019 mid-year financial review and a FY2020 budget/capital improvement program preview.  Comments from Trustees included that the budget preview was “sobering” and the “toughest” experienced.
• Three funds were discussed: the General Fund (which includes general operations, public safety pensions and debt service), the Water Fund and the Sewer Fund.  Some weak points were noted in FY2019 revenue projections based on mid-year experience, leading to caution for FY2020 revenue projections. As a result, the general fund tax levy increase from last year could be as high as 4.9%, resulting in an increase in $90 on the average property tax bill, although that could come down as FY2020 revenue projections are refined and decisions are made. 
• Some of the decisions to be made as budget and tax levy discussions progress include: what capital improvement projects to fund (noted some can be pushed back, but will need to be done in the near future), whether to fund a $175K new comprehensive plan (it has already been pushed back before), whether to adopt a new amortization method for public safety pensions (VB agreed by consensus to do so at an April 2019 meeting, as we reported in our April 12 update below, but that was not binding), which would result in higher pension contributions in the next few years but is expected to save the Village in the long run, and how much to use of reserves vs. a property tax increase.  
• Water and sewer fund highlights include that water consumption has declined significantly over the years, resulting in lower and unpredictable revenues for both funds, impacting both funds significantly (and drawing down reserves).  New water and sewer rates are listed as TBD.  A potential new stormwater utility to fund debt service expected to be issued with respect to the Village’s $68.2M stormwater project was also discussed.
• A copy of the FY2019 Mid-Year Financial Review and FY2020 Budget/CIP Preview excerpted from the meeting packet online is here. The expected FY2020 Budget/Tax Levy Calendar was set forth in the packet (and updated on the Village website):
  • August 27:  Municipal Services Committee to Review Road Program
  • Sept 23 CoW: Stormwater Utility Implementation & Eng’g/Road Program CIP
  • October 7: Presentation of Proposed Budget (date as currently on website)
  • October: CoW Budget Workshop(s)
  • November 26: Adopt FY2020 Budget
  • December 10: Adopt Tax Levy
• The VB approved two contracts with respect to the Village’s stormwater project on the consent agenda (one with an outside consultant regarding the potential implementation of a new stormwater utility fee to fund debt service expected to be issued with the project and the other a supplement no. 2 to the current contract with an outside engineering firm  regarding fall storm sewer work and optimization in the preliminary design) and heard much public comment on the Park Board’s consensus decision at its July 8th meeting for the location/configuration of the reservoir at Community Playfields.  For more detail on these and other developments with respect to this project, see our Stormwater Management Project page here.

 
Coming up in August--Meetings We Expect to Observe:
 
Park Board: August 12 (regular meeting) and August 19 (special meeting, expected to vote on Memorandum of Understanding with Village concerning Stormwater Project)
Village Board:  August 27 (expected to vote on Memorandum of Understanding with Park District concerning Stormwater Project); VB Committee Meetings: Land Use (Aug 19); Public Safety (Aug. 22) and Municipal Services (Aug. 27).
D. 39 BoE: August 19 (C-o-W) and August 22 (Special BoE) and August 26 (Regular BoE).
D. 203 BoE: August 26
Library Board:  August 27
 

As of July 19, 2019
 
Since the last update, LWVW Observers have observed and reported on the following local government meetings:
 
NTHS D. 203 Board of Ed: June 10, July 15
Library Board: Policy Comm. June 3, Finance Comm. June 11, Board June 18, July 16
WPS D. 39: Committee-of-the-Whole June 10, BoE June 17
Village Board: Board June 11, June 25, July 9; C-o-W on Stormwater Project Funding June 13
Park Board: June 10, July 8
 
Highlights:
Wilmette Village Board

• At a committee-of-the-whole meeting, heard a report from Raftelis on two different alternatives for funding the $68.2M stormwater project: increasing the sewer fee or establishing a new stormwater utility based on impervious surface. Staff was given the go-ahead to begin work on a potential new stormwater utility, without committing to that as the funding mechanism, which could potentially charge single family residential customers based on which of 3 tiers of impermeable surface square footage they fall in.
• Received its FY2018 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.
• The board heard a presentation on the Streetscape project and approved it in concept. See Village website for more details on this project, slated for summer 2020.

 
Park Board

• Arrived at a consensus at its July meeting on locations for underground storage retention tanks at Community Playfields, Hibbard Park and Thornwood Park in connection with the Village Stormwater Project, after hearing a report from Baxter & Woodman on alternative locations at its June meeting.
• Aiming to have a memorandum of understanding with the Village on the Village Stormwater Project for approval at its August meeting.
• Received its FY2018 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.

 
NTHS D. 203 Board of Ed

• Approved the proposed IGA between the Village of Winnetka and District 203 regarding stormwater improvements at Duke Childs Field.  The Village of Winnetka must still get approval from several other governmental agencies in order to implement the plan. The representatives from the Village of Winnetka reported that they do not yet have a proposed date to begin construction or a timeline for completion.
• Heard Supt. Sally’s report on the progress of the New Trier 2030 Strategic Plan. Progress was made on all 11 strategies that are part of the 2019 annual plan. The BoE intends to seek parent involvement in the form of an advisory committee in order to help the BoE and the administration understand what issues parents believe should be a focus.
• Approved planned security enhancements to the Northfield campus. The plan includes controlled access and fencing and the enclosure of the courtyards.
• Heard update on 15-year capital improvement plan currently in development.  No referendum is  anticipated.

 
Wilmette Library Board

• Continued its FY2020 (July 1, 2019-June 30, 2020) budget and Budget & Appropriations Ordinance (B&AO) process by approving its tentative FY 2020 B&AO at its July meeting (to be voted on in final form at August meeting after a public hearing) and its FY2020 budget at its June meeting. The difference between the budget and the B&AO? The budget is what the Library actually expects to collect/spend, while the B&AO is what the library is authorized to collect/spend, taking into account potential windfalls and/or catastrophes. The tentative B&AO includes a 10% cushion in each line item above what is in the budget.
• Approved a resolution outlining the long range plan for the district’s Building & Equipment Reserve Fund (aka Special Reserve Fund), which was $5,785,982 at end of FY 2018 (June 30 2018); the fund is for remodeling, repairing, improving the existing library building, and purchasing eligible new equipment.

 
Wilmette Public Schools D. 39 Board of Ed

• Passed an Anti-Hate Resolution and committed to action to be determined over the coming months.
• Reviewed report on progress made on 2018-19 Strategic Plan Goals.
• Reviewed annual MAP growth report (report on computer adaptive assessment used to monitor student achievement and growth over time, given 3 times/year to students in grades 2-8).

​As of May 31, 2019
 
Since the last update, LWVW Observers have observed and reported on the following local government meetings:
 
NTHS D. 203 Board of Ed: Regular BoE April 15 & May 20, Special BoE April 29.
Wilmette Library Board: Finance Committee April 15, Board April 16 & May 21
WPS D. 39: Committee-of-the-Whole April 15 & May 13, Board of Ed April 22 & May 20
Village Board: April 23, May 14 & May 28
Park Board: May 13
 
Highlights:
NTHS D. 203 Board of Ed

• Reviewed a draft Intergovernmental Agreement with Village of Winnetka, negotiated over the course of the last year, to be voted on at June BoE, regarding 14.2 acre-feet of underground stormwater storage to be installed at D.203’s Duke Childs Fields in conjunction with the Village’s stormwater management plan. Also received a $5.9M proposal from the NTHS Athletic Department to improve the fields simultaneously with the installation of the tank.  Installation/improvements expected to start summer 2020 at the earliest, and will take a year.
• Approved a 4-year faculty contract for 2019-23 and a 5-year physical plant services association contract for 2019-24. 
• Heard from the Kenilworth Village Manager about Kenilworth’s proposed TIF District for the Green Bay Rd. business corridor on 4/29 after the BoE discussed the TIF on 4/15 and indicated its lack of support for the TIF; BoE members had several pointed questions for the Village Manager about the proposed TIF and remained non-supportive.
• Approved its 2019-2020 Annual Plan and District/Superintendent goals.
• Heard about NTHS Civics curriculum (a semester-long civics class is a state graduation requirement starting with the class of 2020) and a restructuring of the electives departments.
• Bid farewell to outgoing BoE members Lori Goldstein and Patrick O’Donoghue and swore in new members Jean Hahn and Brad McClane and returning member Cathleen Albrecht.
• Elected Cathleen Albrecht as President, Mark Glucksman as Vice President.

 
Wilmette Library Board

• Kicked off its FY2020 (July 1, 2019-June 30, 2020) Budget and Budget & Appropriations Ordinance planning at its April Finance Committee meeting by reviewing a tentative FY2020 budget.   Although the Tax Levy is a separate process (and not entirely overlapping since the Tax Levy applies to a calendar year), the tentative Budget gives a preview by assuming flat General Fund property tax revenues.
• Heard updates on the outdoor renovation project underway, with concrete to be poured early June and landscaping to be finished by late June/early July.
• Bid farewell to outgoing Trustees Kathleen O’Laughlin and Virginia George, and swore in new Trustees Joan Fishman and Fina Riddle and returning Trustees Lisa McDonald and Jan Barshis.
• Elected Lisa McDonald as President, Stuart Wolf as Vice President, Ronald Rodgers as Treasurer, Jan Barshis as Secretary.

 
Wilmette Public Schools D. 39 Board of Ed

• Reviewed its 2019-20 tentative budget.  The largest portion of the Operating Funds is the Education Fund, which assumes a tax levy to the tax cap for both 2018 (tax levy passed in December 2018) and 2019 (tax levy to be voted on in November).  The tax levy process is separate from the budget process, though intertwined.  The tentative budget is to be voted on at the August 26, 2019, BoE meeting after a public hearing.
• Received this year’s CRC report on Mobile Learning in grades K-4, which recommends 1:1 mobile learning in these grades and other actions to make that learning successful.
• Approved administrators’ 2019-20 contractual salary and benefits.
• Heard about the introduction of a WJHS school safety dog.
• Approved Harper construction bids totalling ~3.5M for summer 2019 & 2020 construction of new kindergarten enrichment and therapeutic intervention program classrooms.
• Approved new asst. principals at McKenzie/Central (Anthony Haduch) and HMS (Linda Moric). Supt. Lechner announced Dana Nasiakos to be interim McKenzie principal.
• Bid farewell to outgoing BoE members Alice Schaff and Tracy Kearney and swore in new members Erin Stone and Amy Poehling and returning member Frank Panzica.
• Elected Lisa Schneider-Fabes as President, Frank Panzica as Vice-President.

 
Wilmette Village Board

• Proclamation by Village President Bielinski designating June 10 as a day to celebrate women’s right to vote and Illinois’ important role in achieving that right in the United States, acknowledging the 100th anniversary of Illinois being the first state to ratify the 19th amendment.
• Heard a presentation on the Wilmette Downtown Streetscape Project.
• Approved an engineering contract for Skokie Blvd/Lake Ave. intersection improvements.
• Approved a ~$25K supplement to engineering firm working on Stormwater Plan design to 1) take into account updated Illinois State Water Survey standards, which have increased rainfall depths for a 10-year storm from 2.86 inches to 3.3 inches (the plan is meant to be designed for a 10-year storm) and 2) analyze costs and schedule impacts if preliminary layouts were changed to minimize tree loss.  It was noted in the packet that 1) the original layouts, which would result in the loss of many trees, were proposed with guidance from the Park District staff, in locations that would achieve the required amount of stormwater storage and have the least impact on the park operations and 2) a change to a smaller footprint would likely require a pumping station at each park. See below for a note on the current status of the stormwater plan.
• Bid farewell to outgoing Trustees Julie Wolf and George Pearce and swore in new Trustees Peter Barrow and Gina Kennedy and returning Trustees Senta Plunkett and Daniel Sullivan.

 
Park Board

• Held its final public hearing on the Village’s stormwater plan, which calls for retention tanks in 3 parks; this public hearing was with respect to the 13.9 acre-foot underground storage tank to be installed at Thornwood Park.  See below for a reminder of the current status of the stormwater plan.
• Discussed getting facilities ready for the summer season, including at Gillson Park, where the Lakefront Project was nearing completion.
• Bid farewell to outgoing Commissioners Stephanie Foster, John Olvany, Ryrie Pellaton, and Shelley Shelly and swore in new Commissioners Cecilia Clarke, Julia Goebel, Michael Murdock, and Todd Shissler.
• Elected Amy Wolfe as President and Gordon Anderson as Vice President.

 
Current Status of Stormwater Project--Wilmette Village Board and Park District:

• Village’s outside engineering firm is currently working on 30% design of project.
• Village targeting Fall 2019 bid for Phase 1A storm sewers, with sewer construction taking place winter 2019/2020.
• Retention tanks at 3 parks to be installed one at a time, targeting Community Playfield for summer 2020, Hibbard Park for summer 2021, and Thornwood Park for summer 2022.
• The Park Board and Park District staff have now held 6 meetings for public input, 1 public hearing and 1 staff-led meeting with respect to each of the 3 parks.
• Our League has previously asked the Park Board to determine the potential positive/negative environmental, economic and usage impacts the plan has on the parks, particularly in light of potential changing needs over the 100-year life span of the tanks.
• The Village and Park District are continuing their discussions, taking into account public input, and working toward an Intergovernmental Agreement with respect to this project.

 

​As of April 12, 2019:

Since last month’s report, LWVW Observers attended various local government board meetings, and observed the following:
 
Village Board: By consensus the VB agreed to make a major structural change to the way the Village funds its 2 public safety pension plans (for police and fire) in order to address unfunded liabilities in those plans (currently at $56.5 million and growing without structural changes) and even-out and ultimately reduce anticipated Village contributions to those plans.  The structural change involves moving to a 15-year rolling amortization schedule, and is anticipated to result in greater Village contributions to those plans in FY 2020-2023, but ultimately $38 million less in Village contributions between now and 2040 compared to the current policy. Increased contributions in the earlier years are anticipated to be funded by General Fund reserves and tax levy increases. Village staff indicated that making this change would be preferred by bond rating agencies, with hopes that the change could help Wilmette retain its Aaa bond rating, which is important as it helps to minimize future debt costs.
 
Park Board:  The Park Board is continuing its review and hearing public comments on the Village Stormwater Plan, which calls for retention tanks in 3 parks.  This month the Park Board held a public hearing on the plan as it relates to Hibbard Park, and heard from the Village’s engineering firm and Park District’s architecture firm on placement alternatives for the tank at Hibbard that would preserve space for a potential building of a new rec center at Hibbard, given that the current CRC was not built to be a rec center (it was originally a school) and that the Park District may in the 100-year life span of the tank want to replace the CRC. They advised that the best space for the tank while preserving space for a CRC replacement building (while underscoring there are no plans to do so) would be east of the current building along Glenview Road, then turning north along Skokie Blvd and in the triangular wedge at the north end of the park. The existing skate park in that area would be replaced and about 40 trees in that area would be cut down.  With respect to the tanks at both Hibbard and Community Playfields, public input has included residents who say Park District should prioritize allowing the biggest tank possible at both locations to provide the greatest stormwater relief, as well as residents who say the Park District should prioritize tree conservation in determining tank placement.
 
NTHS D. 203 Board of Ed: The BoE approved a 5-year contract extension for Superintendent Paul Sally beginning July 2019, 1 year prior to when his initial 3-year contract was set to expire.  The BoE also received its annual School Climate Report, which mostly showed positive results, though indicated some concerns around social-emotional safety and social media and also a less positive experience for students with racial identities that are not white.
 
WPS D. 39 Board of Ed: The BoE reviewed the 2019-20 non-operating funds tentative budget and received a mid-year report of this year’s new strategic initiatives, Differentiated Instruction and Nutrition.
 
Wilmette Library Board: The Library Board in a 5-1 vote approved a bid to replace 10-year old phone equipment and heard that the start date for its outdoor renovation may be delayed because of issues getting permits from the Village.
 
Upcoming Meetings that We Will Observe in the Next Month:
Wilmette Library Board: Finance Committee April 15, Board April 16
WPS D. 39: Committee-of-the-Whole April 15, Board of Ed April 22
NTHS D. 203 Board of Ed: April 15
Village Board: April 23, May 14
Park Board:  May 13

As of March 18, 2019:
 
Village Board: Approved expansion of a special use and a 3-space parking variation for Harper School construction related to anticipated Kindergarten Enrichment; multiple neighbors voiced concerns, citing current parking/traffic/safety problems in the area.  Neighbors’ concerns were noted and a commitment was made to address them.  Approved a recodification of the Village Code, with changes that staff reports are mostly technical or consistent with current practice.  Heard from Loyola Academy students advocating for affordable housing.
 
Park Board: Held its first public hearing on the VIllage Stormwater Plan as it affects the parks.  Will hold two more public hearings at the beginning of the next two board meetings (April 8 and May 13), and Park District staff will hold meetings at the affected parks on April 3 (Community Playfield), April 24 (Hibbard) and May 22 (Thornwood).  Residents who spoke or wrote in about the plan mostly wanted the plan to go forward without delay.  The Park Board is especially interested in input about what enhancements residents want made to the parks as a part of the construction.  Our League has previously asked the Park Board to determine the potential positive/negative environmental, economic and usage impacts the plan has on the parks, particularly in light of potential changing needs over the 100-year life span of the tanks.
 
WPS District 39 Board of Education: Approved bids for this summer’s HMS construction totalling ~$3.5M and hopes to go out to bid in March for this summer’s proposed Harper KE construction. Received a mid-year report on the second part of this year’s strategic plan (mid-year on 3rd part next month). Heard from administrators about how they are addressing vaping concerns, mostly at WJHS, and about surveys regarding changes made this year to instrumental music program.
 
NTHS District 203 Board of Education: Heard from administrators on Student Well Being Report, with much discussion on concerns regarding stress, binge drinking and unhealthy weight management techniques.  Approved maximum allocation of $177,767 for scholarships for class of 2019 from Scholarship Trust Fund, a separate 501(c)(3) scholarship organization that has been in existence for 70 years and had assets of $3,289,345.39 on December 31, 2018.
 
Library Board:  Approved bids for this spring’s outdoor renovation project.
 
Join us in this important work and become an observer! Contact Mary Lawlor at lwvwobservers@gmail.com

​Governments We're Monitoring

Wilmette Village Board of Trustees:
The Village Board is the legislative and policy-making body of the Village and includes the Village President and six Trustees. The Village Board usually meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30 pm at Village Hall. Regular Village Board meetings are broadcast live on cable Channel 6 and replayed the following day at 1 pm.
​https://www.wilmette.com/village-board/

Board of Park Commissioners
The Board of Park Commissioners oversees the administration of the Wilmette Park District.
Meetings are usually held on the 2nd Monday of each month in the Village Hall Council Chambers at 7:30 pm.
Wilmette Park District Administrative Offices: 847-256-6100
Website: www.wilmettepark.org

Wilmette Public Library Board of Trustees
The Library Board generally meets the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7:30pm in the Staff Lounge at the Wilmette Public Library

District 39: Wilmette Elementary
Board of Education meetings are usually held on the 4th Monday of the month at 7 pm at the Mikaelian Education Center. Changes to this schedule are posted on the website.
Website: www.wilmette39.org

District 203: New Trier High School
Meetings are usually held on the 3rd Monday of the month. The board meets at 7:00 pm in the Multipurpose Room (C234) at the Northfield Campus. Meeting dates are subject to change.
Website: www.newtrier.k12.il.us

Click here to see archived observer reports